Thinking about going with a buddy on a bass fishing trip down to Florida. My only concern is the gator issue. For those of you that live down there, how often do you run into them while you're fishing, and is the possibility of them attacking you while fishing something to be worried about?

 

I'm deathly afraid of those things, had a bad experience with one of them on spring break in Orlando a few years back.

It's unfortunate about your experience. Where are you fishing from bank or boat? From a boat you do not have a problem. Gators usually just swim away as you approach. On the bank, I have never encountered a gator here in South Fl. I also do not bank fish in areas that is known to have gators.

I was fishing from the bank for bass, hooked into one and had a gator come out of no where and steal it off my line about 5 feet from the shore. Big gator too.

I was fishing from the bank for bass, hooked into one and had a gator come out of no where and steal it off my line about 5 feet from the shore. Big gator too.

I am waiting for that to happen to me lol. I've snagged gators and caught them when they go after my top water frog.

I bank fish a lot and have run into gators but they keep their distance. BUT those South FL gators like Miami DON'T PLAY! I saw a video of a guy bank fishing and then the water was filled with gators. He wa about to pack up and one of them came out the water towards him! I talk a big game about gators but I don't know how I'd react if that happened to me.

You don't have to worry about gators snakes is what I'm more worried about. You see gators coming snakes just pop up

AJ what part of the Fl did this happen?

AJ what part of the Fl did this happen?

Orlando. Was fishing a lake right next to my resort.

Orlando. Was fishing a lake right next to my resort.

My brother lives in Orlando I haven't encountered any gators while fishing there. Orlando is known for them not Jacksonville and I have encountered more here than there.

I fish this spot sometimes.

Never seen a gator though I get a feeling I am being watched. Lol

They won't bother you if you do even see them.

The gators will not bother you unless you go swimming with them. If you are bank fishing, snakes(moccaisan) are your biggest concern if the bank is wild.

I no longer fish canals that are low banked, the ones we have in P.B. county are high, gators and mocs are pretty much in the water or close to the bank, not as likely to be high up where I am, but it can happen.  This is summer and it's growing season, not only is the bass bite slow but the grass gets high on the canals, I don't like to fish them until they are mowed which starts around November.  I fear snakes much more than gators.

In several thousand days on Florida lakes I have only had a problem with one gator.  But he was about 14 feet long.

 

Shane, that spot you were fishing, was that shot in Dade or Broward?

Shane, that spot you were fishing, was that shot in Dade or Broward?

Dade

I've only see gators twice I think. One time I believe i saw a baby gator pop it's head up about 30 feet from me in the middle of a canal. the other time i think there was one in the turnpike retention pond, but i may be wrong. never had a problem with them, but i do pack heat when i fish, just in case

I've only see gators twice I think. One time I believe i saw a baby gator pop it's head up about 30 feet from me in the middle of a canal. the other time i think there was one in the turnpike retention pond, but i may be wrong. never had a problem with them, but i do pack heat when i fish, just in case

Hah u pack heat when you are fishing? That's gonna suck for the gator, or any1 or thing for that matter, the day it decides to mess with you while your fishing

Hah u pack heat when you are fishing? That's gonna suck for the gator, or any1 or thing for that matter, the day it decides to mess with you while your fishing

 

in fact, i pack heat almost everywhere i go sooooo it's a lifestyle choice

in fact, i pack heat almost everywhere i go sooooo it's a lifestyle choice

Always strapped that's what's up

Always strapped that's what's up

 

wish i didn't have to in fact, but world being what it is, it already saved my behind twice in last 7 years since moving to FL...

wish i didn't have to in fact, but world being what it is, it already saved my behind twice in last 7 years since moving to FL...

Yeah man the world is messed up and people are on anothe level that's why I stay fishing

Yeah man the world is messed up and people are on anothe level that's why I stay fishing

Its crazy, a friend of mine told me they tried to rob him at the pier, it was late but there were tons of other people there. Trouble will sometimes find you when you arent even looking for it, Ive been in a few incidents myself unfortunately. Gators seem to be the least of the problems we have these days.

Their more afraid of you then you of them.

Their more afraid of you then you of them.

 

the gators or the hoodlums when i pull my .45 out?

 

LOL JK

the gators or the hoodlums when i pull my .45 out?

LOL JK

BOTH!! Lol

Just like a mugger, the gator that's gonna get ya is the one you never see.

Don't sweat the gators. I've been wading in both Lake Kississimee and Chobee with them nearby. Don't mess with them, they don't mess with you. Now moccasins, they will come to investigate so be wary of them.